Electric steam generator



oct. 25, 1927. 1;646,746

E. J. CARROLL ELECTRIC -STEAM GENERATOR Filed July 5. 192?y 2 Sheets-SheetV 1,

/NVENTOR m @al1/w@ MM y MW@ oct. 25,1927. `1,646,746

E. J. CARROLL ELECTRIC STEAM GENERATOR Fiied July 1922 2 sheets-sheet 2 /LfvI/ENTOR W @azz/MZ@ 4 MMM w A TTORNEY Patented Oct. 25, 1927.

UNITED STATES EMIL J'. CARROLL, 0F NORWOOD, OHIO,

CHINEBY COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A

SSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN LAUNDRY MA- CORPORATION 0F OHIO.

ELECTRIC STEAM GENERATOR.

Application led July 3,

This invention relates to improvements in steam generating devices for use in connection with garment and laundry presses.

The objects of this invention are to provide a steam generator with electric heating elements together with mechanical means for automatically regulating 4the water level in the generator; to provide means Jfor automatically' cutting out the heating elements according to the quantity of water in the generator; to provide means for insulating the boiler of the generator from the high voltage of the main line current; to provide means for automatically regulating lthe heat and water supply according to the steam pressure generated; and to provide also electric means for controlling the water supply to the generator. v p

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims when considered ktogether with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows my improved device in eleva. tion with the float chamber shown in section; Fig. 2 shows the pressure gauge in elevation with the cover removed; Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the generator; .F-ig. 4: shows in elevation a modified form in which a solenoid valve is substituted Jfor the float valve and Figs. 5 and 6 .are electrical diagrams of the control systems for the two ormsof my device embodying the float valve andfthe solenoid valve respectively.

The cylindrical boiler 1 of the steam generator is suitably4 supported upon the frame 2 and the water contained therein as indicated by reference numeral 3 is adapted to be' heated by means of the electric coils 4. These coils are arranged in parallel in the main line A. C. circuit, as' indicated in the electric diagrams, Figs. 5 and 6. The water is supplied through the float chamber 6 which `has communication through the pipe 7 with the boiler 1. The valve 8, which is controlled by the oat 9, is pivotally mounted at the pointlO and is adapted to close the opening 11 of the water supply. A blow-offr or drain 12 is provided and is controlled by means of the valve 13 for purposes of draining the boiler. I have provided a safety valve 14 and the water gauge 15. The steam outlet is indicated at 16 and is controlled by the valve 17. The indicator -18 is operated thrqugh the connection 19 so as to indicate the steam pipe 5 by way of 1922. Serial N0. 572,576.

This float normally maintains a level ofv water in the boiler above both of the electrodes 22, to be described, so that said electrodes are always normally immersed in the boiler water and function to open the circuit in case the water level drops below the level maintained by the float.

The electrodes 22 extend inside of the steam boiler and are so positioned in the wall of the boiler that the circuit will beA closed through them by means of the water in the boiler which is indicated -at high level in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Referring n ow to the electrical diagram shown in Fig. 5 and assuming the water to be at the level indicated at Fig. 3, the circuit will be closed through the electrodes 22 and hence through the secondary coil 24 of the transformer, the primary coil of which is indicated by reference numeral 25. The closing of the circuit through the secondary coil will cause more current to flow through the transformer so as 'to be suiiicient to energize thefrelay coil 26 which closes the circuit through Athe contacts 27 included in the same circuit as the heating elements 4. Thus it will be seen that when the water is at ythe level indicated 1n Fig. 3 the heating elements will be'energlzed so as to generate steam which will occupy the disengagement area above the water in the boiler.

Now when a certain pre-determined pressure of steam has been generated and accumulated in the area in the top part of the boiler .the Bourdon tube will be caused to straighten Y,to sufficient extent to cause the wire 28, the two ends of which are soldered or otherwise secured to the Bourdon tube,

to engage and raisel the loop 29 vsecured to the sliding switch member 30 which cooperates with the adjustable switch member 31. The slidable switch. member 30 is connected by means of the wire 32 to its contact plate 33 while the adjustable switch member 31 which loo.

has electric connection with the plate 33 is tion to the contact plate 36. The Contact plates 33 and 36 are suitably mounted on the insulatingimember 37. With this arrangement it 1s possible to Iset the adjustable switch member 31 according to the degree of steam pressure desired, so that when such pressure has been attained the action of the Bourdon tube will cause the sliding switch member 30 to be raisedy and to break contact with the adjustable switch member 31. Since this automatic switch control is located in the same circuit with the primary coil ofthe transformer and also in circuit with the relay coil 26, the contacts 27' will be opened and the circuit through the heating coils will be broken so as to automatically discontinue further generation of ste-am until the pressure in the dis-engagement area falls below the pre-determined point; whereupon the circuitthrough the heating coils will be again closed by return of the sliding contact 30 so as to close the circuit through the relay coil 26 and hence through the contacts 27.

In case the float valve should fail to function yin the manner above described, the electric means just described can be depended upon toautomatically cut-.out the heating coils.

I have provided also a modified form in which an electro-magnetic valve is substituted for the float valve, this form being illustrated in Fig. 4 in which the valve 8a is controlled by the electro-magnet 38, the other connections with the boiler and water supply being the same as in the first form. That is, water inlet is through the pipes 5a and 7a to the boiler la. The pipe 40 in the second form of device corresponds to the steam pipe 6 in the rst form leading from the top of the boiler to the float chamber 6. In this second form of device the breaking of the circuit at the point of the Bourdon tube will cause the relay coil26a to be deenergized, permitting the contact member 27a to fall and close the circuit through contacts 41, thereby closing the circuit through the coil 42 for opening valve 8a so as to permit replenishment of the water in the boiler la. Likewise, upon breaking the circuit of the secondary coil by the lowering of the'water level below the electrodes, the same automatic opening of valve 8a takes place. When magnet 38 is de=energized,

valve 8a is closed by water pressure, as for instance when the water in the boiler reaches suilicient level to close circuit through the electrodes so as to close circuit through contacts 27a.

In either form of device the boiler can be drained and cleaned out by opening valve 13. In the first form, the ioat will descend and the -valve 8 will open to permit flushing of the boiler. In the second form, the v alve 8 will be opened, in the manner above de-l scribed, upon lowering of the water in the boiler, and the solenoid valve can be closed by opening switch 43.

As a means of removing moisture from the steam before it leaves the boiler,I I have provided a plurality of screens offine mesh extending across the top of the boiler. They are held in place by means of. the cap of the boiler, vas clearly shown in the drawing, or may be secured in any other suitable manner, and are dished in the present form of device so as to be spaced from the cap or head of the boiler. Thus only dry steam is permitted to be discharged through the outlet.

What I claim is:

l. A steam generator, comprising a boiler, electrical heating members therefor normally immersed in the boiler water, and a controller for said heating members, including a control circuit having a primary coil, and a secondary therefor having electrodes so located as to be normally immersed in the boiler Water to close the secondary circuit and to open said circuit when the water level lowers `and exposes 'said heating members to the steam space.

2. A steam generator, comprising a boiler, electrical heating members therefor normally immersed in the boiler water, and a controller for said heating members, including a control circuit having a primary coil, and a secondary' therefor having electrodes so located as to benormally immersed in the boiler` water to close the secondary circuit and to o-pen said circuit kwhen the water level lowers and exposes said heating members to the steam space, a valve for controlling the supply of water to said boiler, and means whereby said control circuit controls said valve to supply boiler water when said electrodes are' uncovered.

In testimony whereof I hereby aflix my signature. v

lEMIL J. CARROLL 

